Driving Differences: Bahrain vs. Ivory Coast
When comparing the driving environments of Bahrain and Ivory Coast, significant contrasts emerge in regulations and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions, each nation presents unique challenges for travelers. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these diverse regions.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
ivory coast:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
ivory coast:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
ivory coast:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
ivory coast:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
ivory coast:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bahrain:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during nighttime | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
ivory coast:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
ivory coast:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
ivory coast:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated